Diapause Induction and 'in hand' Environmental Adaptation of the Silkworm, Bombyx mori

Abstract

Embryonic diapause is induced transgenerationally as a maternal effect in the bivoltine strain of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Progeny diapause is determined by the environmental temperature during embryonic development of the mother. Here, we review the molecular mechanism responsible for diapause induction in Bombyx mori. Recent studies have elucidated the molecular pathway of reception of environmental temperature and neuroendocrine signaling by the diapause hormone. Furthermore, we propose that the environmental adaptation, termed 'in hand', was acquired during the domestication of the silkworm, Bombyx mori from the wild silkworm, Bombyx mandarina.